Lifestyle: Treat Yourself to a Holiday At Home
Reach your perfect destination without opening your front door – here's how to do it
Either you didn’t get it together to book anything, you can’t afford to go away or your usual go-to travel companions let you down. Whatever the reason, this year you’re having a staycation – and one that doesn’t involve leaving your own house, let alone the country.
Fortunately a holiday at home doesn’t have to be a disaster; in fact, it can be pretty darn marvellous – no queuing at airports, no holiday tummy, no overpriced drinks or confusing currency. All you need to do is invest a little time in creating a holiday vibe at home – and remember, of course, that a holiday is as much a state of mind as it is a place.
Fortunately a holiday at home doesn’t have to be a disaster; in fact, it can be pretty darn marvellous – no queuing at airports, no holiday tummy, no overpriced drinks or confusing currency. All you need to do is invest a little time in creating a holiday vibe at home – and remember, of course, that a holiday is as much a state of mind as it is a place.
Light up
A simple string of fairy lights creates a twinkly atmosphere on those still-balmy evenings, when you could (almost) be in the Mediterranean. Here they’ve been fixed to a vine-covered pergola, sheltering a table set for a relaxed dinner party.
A simple string of fairy lights creates a twinkly atmosphere on those still-balmy evenings, when you could (almost) be in the Mediterranean. Here they’ve been fixed to a vine-covered pergola, sheltering a table set for a relaxed dinner party.
Dive in to the blue
There’s something about a certain bold shade of turquoise blue that brings to mind glittering oceans and everlasting sunshine. Here it helps this upgraded garden shed follow a beach-shack theme, with a surfboard used as bar-top for serving ice-cold colas and pina coladas. Experiment with using similar jewel shades of blue on doors and walls, or with accessories, indoors or outside.
There’s something about a certain bold shade of turquoise blue that brings to mind glittering oceans and everlasting sunshine. Here it helps this upgraded garden shed follow a beach-shack theme, with a surfboard used as bar-top for serving ice-cold colas and pina coladas. Experiment with using similar jewel shades of blue on doors and walls, or with accessories, indoors or outside.
Hang out and about
A hammock can be one of those rash holiday purchases that gets forgotten the minute you step onto the airport tarmac back home. But it really shouldn’t be. It’s a brilliant way to recreate that laid-back holiday feeling. With a good book, a cold drink and a comfy pillow, it doesn’t matter if you’re in Mexico or Maidenhead. Naturally it helps if you have two well-positioned trees, as seen here, but you can also erect sturdy wooden posts to take the strain.
A hammock can be one of those rash holiday purchases that gets forgotten the minute you step onto the airport tarmac back home. But it really shouldn’t be. It’s a brilliant way to recreate that laid-back holiday feeling. With a good book, a cold drink and a comfy pillow, it doesn’t matter if you’re in Mexico or Maidenhead. Naturally it helps if you have two well-positioned trees, as seen here, but you can also erect sturdy wooden posts to take the strain.
Cosy up in a tent
Not likely to make it to Essaouira this year? No fear. A canopy dressed up with billowing summery scarves, some colourful cushions, a Moroccan lamp or two and some woven tapestry rugs are all you need to create the Bedouin tent vibe at home. You can pick up basic gazebos for bargain prices these days, meaning you can picnic sheltered from the blazing sun (or drizzle). Mint teas all round…
Not likely to make it to Essaouira this year? No fear. A canopy dressed up with billowing summery scarves, some colourful cushions, a Moroccan lamp or two and some woven tapestry rugs are all you need to create the Bedouin tent vibe at home. You can pick up basic gazebos for bargain prices these days, meaning you can picnic sheltered from the blazing sun (or drizzle). Mint teas all round…
Look on the bright side
Holidays are all about using fiery, upbeat colours you normally shy away from. And accessorising with hot pinks and bright oranges can be a fast track to creating an exotic holiday feeling in your own garden. In this smart, decked space, a built-in bench has been piled up with clashing cushions that cleverly match the flowers in the beds.
Want to get in the pink? Here’s how
Holidays are all about using fiery, upbeat colours you normally shy away from. And accessorising with hot pinks and bright oranges can be a fast track to creating an exotic holiday feeling in your own garden. In this smart, decked space, a built-in bench has been piled up with clashing cushions that cleverly match the flowers in the beds.
Want to get in the pink? Here’s how
Make life a beach
If you can’t make it to the beach, then why not bring the beach to you. This in-built sandpit is a great way to ensure young children don’t miss out on any sandcastle action – but when it’s not in use as a play area parents can dip their toes in the sand too. If the beach barbecue is out of reach, bring it home…
If you can’t make it to the beach, then why not bring the beach to you. This in-built sandpit is a great way to ensure young children don’t miss out on any sandcastle action – but when it’s not in use as a play area parents can dip their toes in the sand too. If the beach barbecue is out of reach, bring it home…
Big up your bunting
It’s a staple of street parties, but a simple length of bunting really does lend a nostalgic holiday feel to lawns and terraces. There are some lovely fabric versions around these days in all manner of colours and designs. In this idyllic English garden, the ice-cream shades tone with a table dressed for the ultimate summery lunch.
It’s a staple of street parties, but a simple length of bunting really does lend a nostalgic holiday feel to lawns and terraces. There are some lovely fabric versions around these days in all manner of colours and designs. In this idyllic English garden, the ice-cream shades tone with a table dressed for the ultimate summery lunch.
Buy colourful towels
Beach towels have a life beyond the dunes. They can energise your garden, and add a dash of holiday cheer to interiors too – as this hallway display demonstrates. In fact, the brighter the better. Best of all, when you holiday at home, you won’t need to drape your towel over your hotel sunlounger at 5am to make sure you get the best poolside spot…
Beach towels have a life beyond the dunes. They can energise your garden, and add a dash of holiday cheer to interiors too – as this hallway display demonstrates. In fact, the brighter the better. Best of all, when you holiday at home, you won’t need to drape your towel over your hotel sunlounger at 5am to make sure you get the best poolside spot…
Make your terrace terrific
Remember how when you were last on holiday you said you’d copy the restaurant terrace when you got home – and then you totally didn’t? Well, the owners of this teeny terrace did. And it looks amazing. It’s got the lot – long, low wooden benches, plenty of mismatched beach-coloured cushions, cool lighting, lush planting and a sail-style sunshade. The result is a dream drinking and lounging space, but in your own home.
Remember how when you were last on holiday you said you’d copy the restaurant terrace when you got home – and then you totally didn’t? Well, the owners of this teeny terrace did. And it looks amazing. It’s got the lot – long, low wooden benches, plenty of mismatched beach-coloured cushions, cool lighting, lush planting and a sail-style sunshade. The result is a dream drinking and lounging space, but in your own home.
Weave things up
Rattan and wicker furniture instantly says ‘holiday’, ‘hotel lobby’ and ‘summer’. If you have the space in a garden or conservatory, a full sofa-and-armchair set is classic – refined, elegant and timeless. If you don’t, look for a single woven chair or table to add a breezy touch. Here, cool white wicker has been perked up with super-bright cushions – loving that flamingo.
Rattan and wicker furniture instantly says ‘holiday’, ‘hotel lobby’ and ‘summer’. If you have the space in a garden or conservatory, a full sofa-and-armchair set is classic – refined, elegant and timeless. If you don’t, look for a single woven chair or table to add a breezy touch. Here, cool white wicker has been perked up with super-bright cushions – loving that flamingo.
Lounge around
It might not be the French Riviera – or even the English Riviera (Devon to you and me). But any back garden becomes a more inviting space with a pair of well-positioned sunloungers. Wooden versions, like these ones, are timeless and weather well; seat pads that can be stored away are a wise investment that will make your seats far more inviting, too.
TELL US…
Have you had a staycation, and how did you make it work? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments below.
It might not be the French Riviera – or even the English Riviera (Devon to you and me). But any back garden becomes a more inviting space with a pair of well-positioned sunloungers. Wooden versions, like these ones, are timeless and weather well; seat pads that can be stored away are a wise investment that will make your seats far more inviting, too.
TELL US…
Have you had a staycation, and how did you make it work? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments below.
Don’t assume that tropical prints and colours should be packed away with last year’s Hawaiian shirt. As this room shows, bright holiday hues can cheer up a living space no end – and not just in the summer months. This year there are lots of bright pineapple-themed lamps and pots around, while a fun printed lampshade is an another easy way to dip your toe into this trend. The multi-coloured chair and cute parrot are the cherries on the totally tropical cake.
See more ideas for getting the tropical look